On a creative high

But if something comes my way, I give it my best.” And now, Talat’s giving his best to composing music for a film. “I’ve composed for television earlier, but it’s the first time I’m composing music for a film,” he adds. Talat speaks to CS about the same and his thoughts on the music industry today:

Who: Talat Aziz What: On the current music scenario PIC/ Shadab Khan

On a different note The most challenging part of composing music for this film was that it is the story of the iconic Urdu poet Majaz Lucknawi. I’m scoring the music and I’m the voice of Majaz in the songs. These kind of compositions are very me, yet very not me as well. For example, there is a revolutionary song which he wrote against the British rule. It is not a ghazal but I have composed it. There is also a mujra and a Sufiana track. What I’ve tried to do is to maintain the authenticity of the period, as it was the 1930s and 40s. I guess there is a perception about me that I can only compose ghazals. Also, people in Bollywood are sometimes more comfortable with their own groups. But if somebody wants me to compose music for them, I’m ready. If they are more comfortable with others, then’s that’s fine too.

A matter of time I personally feel music should be independent of films. Today, in our country, we have the most amazing performers. I think Sonu Nigam is a performer par excellence. He gets his due, but I think he deserves more as a singer/performer independent of films. We’re going through a phase. There is a change happening for the better. There are a lot of people who want to promote good music and are genuine about it. It’s just a matter of time.

Needed: Musical platforms It’s a misconception that the youth don’t enjoy ghazals. I have performed at college festivals where they have requested songs, clapped and whistled. The media doesn’t cover ghazal festivals or concerts, so people think ghazals are not popular. So I fear that for the next generation, this genre of music will not be able to survive, unless we get support from the corporates. You need money to sustain the platform. When we entered the industry, there were platforms. We would cut albums and they were marketed by the music labels. Today, even if you release an album, the music companies are not able to market them. And if you go for digital downloads, then it’s the film songs that are popular. So that’s the downside.